N.Y. Transportation Law § 73-e: Rural public transportation coordination assistance program

§ 73-e. Rural public transportation coordination assistance program.

1. Program established. There is hereby established a rural public

transportation coordination assistance program which shall:

a. enhance the access of people in rural counties to health care,

shopping, education, employment, public services and recreation services

and opportunities;

b. assist in the establishment, maintenance, development, improvement

and use of public transportation services in rural counties;

c. encourage and facilitate the most efficient and economical use of

all federal, state and local funds used to provide passenger

transportation in rural counties through the establishment of a

coordinated public transportation service in each county; and seek to

increase the productivity of existing programs used for transportation

by increasing the hours of vehicle operation and by expanding services

and service eligibility in such manner as to transport more persons,

especially those in need of transportation but who do not typically

receive transportation services;

d. provide for the participation of public and private for profit and

not-for-profit transportation providers, school districts and volunteers

in coordinated public transportation services in rural counties to the

maximum extent feasible.

2. Eligible expenses and services. The department shall, in

consultation with the interagency coordinating committee on rural public

transportation, define and determine the categories or types of expenses

or services that will be eligible for financial assistance. Public

transportation services funded under this article should be designed to

maximize usage by the public, including transportation disadvantaged

persons. Rail, air, water, freight, emergency medical, charter or tour

transportation services shall not be eligible for assistance provided by

this article. No payment of financial assistance under this section

shall be made for any expenses incurred by a rural county or its

subcontractors prior to the date it receives written notice from the

commissioner that it shall be awarded a grant under this article.

3. Technical assistance and transportation management services. The

department may, at the request of a services coordinator, provide

technical transportation assistance to said coordinator to help the

coordinator comply with program standards and guidelines issued by the

commissioner. Additionally, the department may arrange to sponsor

training programs which will enable services coordinators to perform the

duties required by this article. The department may furnish to and

periodically update for services coordinators information relating to

existing rural transportation services in the state. Such information

may include but not be limited to:

a. a brief description of the nature and scope of existing rural

public transportation services, including a listing of transportation

providers and services coordinators;

b. the identification of unique operating circumstances, and

innovative management or transportation services delivery techniques.

4. Transportation services coordination between counties and regions.

The department may identify and attempt to coordinate the use of

transportation services outside of individual rural counties and between

counties in order to enable persons to be transported outside a county

and or outside a region and the department may identify and promote the

intercounty use of transportation facilities.

5. Coordination of federal, state, local and private aid; report. The

department may compile and maintain current information on available and

pending federal, state, local and private aid affecting coordinated

public transportation services in rural counties. The department may

request and shall be entitled to receive information from state or local

agencies regarding the amount of federal, state and local aid received

by public and private nonprofit organizations providing or contracting

for transportation services and the purpose for which the aid is

received. The commissioner may, in consultation with the interagency

coordinating committee on rural public transportation, use the following

criteria to recommend policies to the governor and the legislature that

would or could promote compliance with the purposes of this subdivision:

a. elimination of duplicative and inefficient administrative costs,

policies and management;

b. greater utilization of resources for providing effective and

efficient transportation services;

c. elimination of duplicative and inefficient transportation services;

d. development of transportation services which meet the needs of the

general public and insure services adequate to the needs of

transportation disadvantaged persons;

e. protection of the rights of privately operated public

transportation providers;

f. coordination of transportation services providers, in order that

individual providers, when participating within a coordinated public

transportation services program, together provide an integrated,

comprehensive service;

g. management of equipment and facilities purchased with public funds

in order that efficient and routine maintenance and replacement is

accomplished.